The Three Lions star will sit out the visit of the Black Caps in order to be ready for the Champions Trophy.
A knee injury that forced England batsman Kevin Pietersen to fly home early from his side’s tour of New Zealand has now ruled him out of the return visit of the Black Caps.
Pietersen aggravated the injury during the first two Tests in Dunedin and Wellington and was forced to miss the third and final five-day match of the series, as well as the entire IPL season – where he holds a £1.3million contract with Delhi Daredevils.
Now England’s big hitter will also miss the visit of New Zealand to the British Isles in May, a tour that includes two Tests and three ODIs.
“Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand as he continues his recovery from significant bone bruising to his right knee,” an ECB statement read.
With the Champions Trophy being hosted in England and Wales in June, it looks like the Three Lions aren’t prepared to risk rushing Pietersen back to the field and will give him a further month to get back to full fitness.
England’s medical staff will meet with the 32-year-old on Friday to discuss his progress and whilst it is unlikely the batsman will require surgery, he has still been granted some more time on the sidelines.
Pietersen is arguably his country’s best player and with a busy summer of cricket for the national side coming up – the Ashes series with Australia immediately follows the Champions Trophy – he will not be unnecessarily risked.
The ECB’s centrally contracted cricketers will meet in Loughborough next week for their annual fitness assessment, with Graeme Swann also likely to be told he will miss the matches against the Black Caps after undergoing surgery on his elbow.
There is some positive news however as bowler Tim Bresnan, who has been out since January with his own elbow injury, will make his comeback for Yorkshire today in a three-day friendly against Lancashire.
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